Musicians band together to get body home

Former Wellington punk Steve Andrews died in London earlier this month.

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With costs climbing to more than $11,000 to bring home the body of a Wellington punk rocker, local musicians are getting together for a fundraising concert.

Steve Andrews, 46, the flamboyant singer in the 1980s and 90s Wellington bands Vas Deferens and Flesh D-Vice, died from head injuries after a fight outside a southwest London pub this month.

A friend, Tom Lynch, said the gig at San Francisco Bath House on January 20 would feature Clash covers band Wazzo Clash, made up of "veterans of the Wellington rock scene and close friends of Steve".

It would also feature surviving members of Vas Deferens playing with guests.

While the guests were yet to be confirmed, those paying tribute to Andrews after his death included members of Shihad, Head Like a Hole, and Bailterspace.

"His old band is going to play a set of original songs and then a set of covers with a veritable who's who of the Wellington rock scene from the 24-year history of Steve's band singing," Mr Lynch said.

"These people are all friends of Steve and want to honour him by attempting to fill his blue suede brothel creepers."

The costs of repatriation and burial of his body were already standing at £6000 (more than $11,000).

Rufus Dayglo, an artist from London but originally from New Zealand, has drawn a portrait of Andrews which will be screenprinted and given to all ticket holders.

Police have arrested a 28-year-old man from Exeter in connection with Andrews' death.